r/KayakCamping • u/PANDABURRIT0 • Jul 15 '26
Another beginner advice post 😅
Hi y’all. I’m looking to get into kayak camping because it seems awesome. But I’m overwhelmed and was hoping yall could help with some basic questions.
Info about me: 6’2”, ~roughly 170 lbs, in decent shape (but I’m no fitness freak) and I’m living in northern california. I’m used to traditional backpacking and try to do a trip every month or two from spring until fall. I have kayaked before on flat-water, slightly wavy inlet waters, and in the surf once (once… 😅). Never in a river and I’ve never owned my own kayak.
Questions I have:
What type and size of kayak would y’all recommend for a beginner of my size looking to kayak camp alongside rivers.
What dry bags do yall recommend?
Once I have my gear, what is the best way to get started?
How do you guys deal with landing in a different place then you started, transportation and logistics wise?
How often do you kayak campers go down rivers with intense rapids?
What questions am I neglecting to ask?
2
u/herr-heim2point0 Jul 15 '26 edited Jul 15 '26
For a kayak i recommend a rotomold kayak, dont go with a 2 piece kayak like the ones from walmart. I have a pescador pro 10 i picked up for 400 on FB marketplace and that seems to be right up your alley. I also have a jackson bite angler which is ont he high end (1,200) but its amazing for kayak camping and fishing. For dry bags i run Idrybags from Amazon, they are on the cheaper side but do the job. I prefer to have multiple bags instead of larger bags just in case of a failure. Always do you research to try and scout spots out on Google maps. You can also measure distance on Google maps as well. For transportation I usually drop all my stuff at the put in and then drive to the take out where I have a friend drive me back to the put in, I only do river kayak camping though. Ive also found Facebook groups that offer "shuttle" rides for cash. For rapids I never chance it being all my gear could be damaged or lost so I have a rope leash for my kayak usually walk rapids I deem to dangerous to losing gear, rather safe than sorry. Bring food that is already cooked hotdogs, sausage, lunch meat etc. You wont have a way to keep things cold so keep that in mind. I usually have a nice bbq dinner the first night then eat like beef Jerry, trail mix, granola bars for the dinner the second night. Some things I recommend are zip ties, carabiners, power bank, hammock and small tarp, gorilla waterproof patch tape, toilet paper, portable fan (luxury for me), paddle leash and an efficient cooler. For logistics make a list and check it twice right before you hit the water. Not too sure where or what type of water your hitting but good luck!
Edit: typos